Rarely has a Leinster final been the subject of so little expectation. Same counties, same old story. The gloom surrounding the abject lack of competitiveness in the provincial semi-finals hasn't helped but the primary cause of foreboding is simply experience: the last two years have given us deeply unsatisfactory matches between the teams.

Two years ago, the final was limp, an affront to the marvellous tradition the counties had established over the previous 20 years - albeit partly redeemed by the absorbing All-Ireland the teams played out two months later.

Twelve months ago, it wasn't Kilkenny's fault as they delivered a whirlwind attacking performance which rubbed out their opponents. It wasn't that Offaly didn't try but they were overrun. Nonetheless the closer the match gets, the more a suspicion develops that it mightn't follow the script as faithfully as the more pessimistic believe.

For a start, another tilt at the quarterfinals offers little to Offaly. The danger of having to play an extra match against Tipperary or Galway is far more germane than the chance of drawing the Ulster champions for a third year. Secondly, Offaly may have had enough of being blamed for diminishing the Leinster final and as the team's prospects always depend more on mood than capability, that could alter the balance.

The problem is that Offaly have so many injuries. Hubert Rigney is a massive loss; in his previous absences, the team has never been as formidable. Brian Whelahan isn't as happy at centre back and so the impact is compounded. If Kevin Martin misses the cut, none of the half back positions will reflect the county's first choice.

Last year the Kilkenny forwards were too slick and sharp for Offaly and plundered goals which gradually pushed the match far beyond their opponents' reach. John Power had a fine match but how ready is he now to make his comeback in a fixture like this? Ditto Willie O'Connor.

DJ Carey almost routinely pulls down two goals against Offaly but Kevin Kinahan's general displays have often been slightly defamed by Carey's statistics. More pertinent has been the ability to strangle the supply lines to the Kilkenny attack.

Centrefield may be more important than usual for Offaly because their recast defence is less likely to exert the same grip, particularly if Martin can't recover from injury. Encouragingly, Johnny Dooley is in great form and Johnny Pilkington was the one Offaly player who bucked and struggled in the face of last year's landslide.

Allowing for all the potential positives, it is possible to see the challengers being more competitive this time around. Kilkenny have yet to prove that they are as good as last year but their defence looks sound. It's a big debut at full back for Noel Hickey, but he has credible under-21 experience.

Throw in the most prolific attack of last year's championship and it's possible to see the champions seeing off even the improved Offaly display which the province desperately wants.